When it Comes to Salivation, the Grass is Always Greener
Obie Editorial Team
While some women might not be able to produce any saliva during their pregnancy, others will be spitting out extra left and right. Of course, spitting isn’t always the most polite option, so the excessive saliva will usually leave you feeling sick. The excessive production of saliva during pregnancy is probably another of the countless side effects of the pregnancy hormones, so it makes sense that every woman’s body reacts differently. So, if you notice a build up of saliva during gestation, you’re not alone, though your dry-mouth pregnant friends might be jealous. The grass is always greener.
Excessive saliva during your pregnancy is harmless. However, make sure you speak with your doctor if it starts interfering with your appetite. If you’re producing a lot every time you eat, you’ll probably want to stop eating, and that won’t be good for you or your growing baby. You should also make sure you take care of dehydration that might accompany your morning sickness, which is probably accompanying your salivation. For many women, the two go hand-in-hand. In fact, studies even show that women who have excessive salivation early in their pregnancy are much more likely to experience problems with morning sickness later on. Aside from these two important considerations, the saliva won’t have any negative side effects and your glands will fully return to normal within hours after you’ve given birth.
You can’t control the amount of saliva you produce, but there are some ways you can trick yourself into forgetting about it. Try carrying around sugarless chewing gum. When you start to salivate, pop a piece in your mouth so that your saliva isn’t just sitting there. It will also trick your brain into thinking you’re eating and the taste will overcome the feeling of salivation. You should also keep your breath minty-fresh with mouthwash or frequent brushing. That way, the salivation will at least taste good and won’t make you feel sick.
If you feel that your excessive salivation is interfering with your daily activities, talk to your doctor about it and he or she might be able to prescribe medicinal remedies to slow down production. Otherwise, remember that the salivation is not harmless, so the only thing you can do for now is distract yourself. Trust that the annoying problem will go away after you’ve given birth and your hormones have all returned to their normal, balanced state.
Source: Anais Lacasse et al: Determinants of Early Medical Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Birth Volume 36 Issue 1 pp. 70-77 March 2009
Excessive saliva during your pregnancy is harmless. However, make sure you speak with your doctor if it starts interfering with your appetite. If you’re producing a lot every time you eat, you’ll probably want to stop eating, and that won’t be good for you or your growing baby. You should also make sure you take care of dehydration that might accompany your morning sickness, which is probably accompanying your salivation. For many women, the two go hand-in-hand. In fact, studies even show that women who have excessive salivation early in their pregnancy are much more likely to experience problems with morning sickness later on. Aside from these two important considerations, the saliva won’t have any negative side effects and your glands will fully return to normal within hours after you’ve given birth.
You can’t control the amount of saliva you produce, but there are some ways you can trick yourself into forgetting about it. Try carrying around sugarless chewing gum. When you start to salivate, pop a piece in your mouth so that your saliva isn’t just sitting there. It will also trick your brain into thinking you’re eating and the taste will overcome the feeling of salivation. You should also keep your breath minty-fresh with mouthwash or frequent brushing. That way, the salivation will at least taste good and won’t make you feel sick.
If you feel that your excessive salivation is interfering with your daily activities, talk to your doctor about it and he or she might be able to prescribe medicinal remedies to slow down production. Otherwise, remember that the salivation is not harmless, so the only thing you can do for now is distract yourself. Trust that the annoying problem will go away after you’ve given birth and your hormones have all returned to their normal, balanced state.
Source: Anais Lacasse et al: Determinants of Early Medical Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Birth Volume 36 Issue 1 pp. 70-77 March 2009
